On Friday, the Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds M.P. officially launched the National Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Month with the Public Alert Notification System (PANS) at the ODPM’s Alternate National Emergency Operations Center, Mausica.
PANS is a mass notification system that allows the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) to provide national emergency alerts. To learn more visit www.odpm.gov.tt/PANS
According to ODPM Operations Manager, Dennis Marcelle, they intend to use the system for the weather, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, associated quake hazards, large fires, and several other threats.
He added that these alerts could be issued for any national, critical event. “It doesn’t really have to be a hazard. In fact, there could be something taking place that we need to alert the public to.”
There are three ways to sign up for these alerts.
Firstly, you can sign up through the ODPM’s website, where a registration link and instruction video will take you through the process. The second option is through the Everbridge App, which is available on the Google Play and Apple App Store. The last option is through paper-based forms available via the ODPM.
According to Marcelle, it helps to know your risk. “That information is critical to any event or emergency. It will help you reduce your exposure level.
He added, “Secondly, we all want to protect our family, our loved ones protecting yourselves. Being more informed helps you to do that.”
Marcelle said the alerts can help you protect your investment. “If you know things are happening, you may need to evacuate. You need to move your vehicle. This system allows us to reach the population with that message.”
Also present to support the Launch of the National Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Month 2023 and Public Alert Notification System (PANS) were Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of National Security, Ms. Nataki Atiba-Dilchan; Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Erla Harewood-Christopher; Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Arnold Bristo; Commissioner of Prisons (Ag.), Mr. Deopersad Ramoutar; Vice Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General Dexter Francis; Director of the TEMA, Mr. Allan Stewart; and Senior Disaster Management Coordinator, of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, Mr. Jerry David.
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